Director of Communications

About the role

Handshake is seeking a highly experienced and strategic communications leader to develop and execute its corporate communications approach. This role is central to shaping and managing the public perception of a dynamic three-sided marketplace that connects students, employers, and universities. The position requires a forward-thinking individual who can craft compelling narratives around the future of work and artificial intelligence, positioning Handshake as a leader in these evolving fields. The successful candidate will serve as a key storyteller and relationship builder, working closely with executive leadership to elevate the company's presence in the media and industry conversations. This role involves managing media relations, developing external messaging, and ensuring consistent, impactful communication across all channels. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in high-growth tech environments or leading agencies, with the ability to operate both strategically and tactically to meet the company's communication goals.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Develop and implement a comprehensive corporate communications strategy that aligns with Handshake's overall business objectives and growth plans.
• Define external messaging and ensure consistency across all communications, including press releases, media interviews, social media, and public appearances.
• Build and nurture relationships with journalists, editors, and influencers in the workforce, AI, education, and tech sectors to secure media coverage and thought leadership opportunities.
• Proactively identify and pitch compelling stories, data insights, company milestones, and innovative initiatives to elevate Handshake's brand presence in relevant industries.
• Collaborate closely with the CEO and senior leadership team to craft compelling narratives, talking points, and positioning statements for public engagements and media interviews.
• Support the social media team by providing guidance on corporate messaging, reviewing content, and ensuring brand consistency on platforms like LinkedIn.
• Prepare executives for public speaking engagements, interviews, and industry events by providing detailed briefing materials and coaching as needed.
• Manage reactive communications, including crisis management and sensitive situations, in partnership with internal teams such as legal, policy, and product.
• Establish scalable processes for handling press inquiries, approvals, messaging, and reporting to ensure efficiency and consistency.
• Oversee external communications agencies or consultants, managing their work to ensure alignment with the company's strategic goals and messaging standards.
• Monitor media coverage and industry trends to inform communication strategies and identify new opportunities for visibility and thought leadership.
• Coordinate with internal teams across departments - such as marketing, product, legal, policy, HR, and sales - to ensure messaging consistency and alignment with company initiatives.
• Track and report on the effectiveness of communication efforts, adjusting strategies as needed to maximize impact and reach.
• Foster a culture of transparency and proactive communication within the organization to support overall business growth and employee engagement.
• Represent Handshake at industry events, conferences, and public forums to promote the company's vision and initiatives.

Requirements

• A minimum of 7 years of experience in corporate communications, public relations, executive communications, or media relations, preferably within high-growth technology companies or leading agencies.
• Demonstrated success in developing and executing external communication strategies that enhance brand reputation and visibility.
• Strong background in working directly with senior leaders, including founders or C-suite executives, to craft and deliver external narratives.
• Proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with journalists, media outlets, and industry influencers.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex subjects and craft compelling stories.
• Sound judgment and discretion in managing sensitive or high-pressure situations, including crisis communications.
• Ability to operate both strategically and tactically, from high-level planning to detailed content creation and editing.
• Experience managing external agencies or consultants, including setting expectations, reviewing work, and ensuring deliverables meet strategic objectives.
• Comfortable working across multiple departments and with diverse teams, including legal, product, policy, HR, and sales, to ensure messaging consistency.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Familiarity with media monitoring tools and analytics to assess the impact of communication efforts.

Nice to have

• Experience or knowledge related to AI, the future of work, labor markets, education, marketplaces, HR technology, or enterprise technology sectors.
• Background working in or understanding of the education technology landscape or talent acquisition platforms.
• Prior experience in a fast-paced startup environment or high-growth company, demonstrating adaptability and agility.

Skills & tools

• Corporate communications strategy development
• Public relations and media outreach
• Executive and leadership communications
• Media relationship management
• Narrative development and storytelling
• Press inquiry handling and messaging approval processes
• Crisis communications management
• External agency or consultant management
• Media monitoring and analytics tools
• Social media guidance and content review

Practical notes

This position is a Senior Individual Contributor role and does not include direct team management responsibilities. The role requires close collaboration with internal teams and external partners to execute communication strategies effectively. Benefits for full-time employees based in the US include equity, a 401(k) match, parental leave, comprehensive health coverage, learning stipends, flexible paid time off, and office perks such as free lunch in San Francisco. The role is based on-site in San Francisco, CA, and involves working in the company's physical office environment. The candidate should be prepared to engage in industry events, media interactions, and executive briefings as part of the role.